REPORTED QUESTIONS

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REPORTED QUESTIONS
by
Ms. Shiu Chi-kuen, Teresa
Enjoy your lesson !
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There are two types of questions
a) Reported Wh-questions
b) Reported yes / no questions
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Lets see how we change the type a)
wh-questions into reported speech.

• Peter asked Mary, Who did you meet at the party
• last night?

Mary can report what Peter said like this
Peter asked Mary who she had met at the
party the night before / the previous night.
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When you report a wh-question into reported
question, you will see that the introductory
verb is asked, not said the question word who
is kept the word order becomes subject (she) ?
verb (met) the substance ends with a full
stop(.) not a question mark(?) and the
verb tense, pronoun and time expression change
in the same way as in reported statements.
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Now, lets practise some questions.
Exercise 1
a)
Where is my book?
Dora asked Tom, Where is my book?
Direct question
Reported questions
Dora asked Tom where her book was.
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What are you doing this afternoon?
b)
Direct question
Mark asked Helen, What are you doing this
afternoon?
Reported question
Mark asked Helen what she was doing that
afternoon.
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Here change the type b) yes / no questions into
reported questions.
When you report a yes / no question, you need to
use if. Dont forget to change any verb tenses,
pronouns and time expressions.
Are you ready to go swimming?
e.g. (a)
John asked Bill if he was ready to go swimming.
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b)
Did you take my handbag yesterday?
Alice asked if I had taken her handbag the day
before / the previous day.
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Its the time to practise!
Exercise 2
Are you going to the concert with your brother
next Friday?
a)
Direct question
Bob asked Mimi, Are you going to the concert
with your brother next Friday?
Reported question
Bob asked Mimi if she was going to the concert
with her brother the following Friday.
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b)
Were you at Alices party last night?
Direct question
Ann asked Paul, Were you at Alices party last
night?
Reported question
Ann asked Paul if he had been at Alices party
the previous night / the night before.
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Relevant Websites
http//www.telenex.hku.hk http//www.english4us.c
om/
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The End